Vincent Kompany will always be associated with Manchester City, despite having been gone for more than three years and now at his second different club as a manager.
After all, the Belgian's 11 years at the Etihad saw him become a club legend as he lifted four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups. Since hanging up his boots Kompany is now looking to forge just as successful a reputation for himself in the coaching world. After two years as boss at Anderlecht, this summer saw him return to England as Burnley manager.
Many were surprised at the decision, given the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League and the big rebuilding job that he has to undertake at Turf Moor.
Again, this is where his relationship with his old club came in handy with no fewer than three of his new arrivals coming directly from City.
Pep Guardiola sanctioned the permanent exits of goalkeeper Aro Muric and defender CJ Egan-Riley whilst also sending Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Lancashire on a season-long loan arrangement.
England under-21 international Harwood-Bellis has played in all three games so far and having previously worked with Kompany at both City and Anderlecht, where he spent a placement on loan earlier in his career, he says he sees similarities between the Belgian and Pep Guardiola.
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Speaking to the Burnley Express, he said: "Yeah, there are similarities, although this manager has his own view, the way he wants to get it across to the players, different ideas and principles. But there are definitely some similarities.
"When he needs to, he’ll get involved and make it clear exactly what he wants from you. When he does, you take it on board. They have detail and information on everything. He has the principles that he puts in play, and it’s down to us then. He wants it to become second nature to us and he won’t have to tell us as much. The standard in training is really good, the demands we all have on each other. That’s massive and we hope to continue it through the season."
It has been an indifferent start to life at Burnley for Kompany so far. He's overseen a win, a draw and a loss with two goals scored and two conceded. His first reversal since being appointed came in Friday night's 1-0 loss at fellow relegated side Watford.
Speaking post-match, Kompany said: "I think first half they were better than us. We didn't concede chances as such, but we just couldn't get into our game. In the second half it was a totally different game. We were creating chances, we didn't let them play. We'll see how the rest [of the season] plays out, but we haven't gone under against anyone and with a very new squad that's an important sign."
